I really do enjoy some of the classic jazz and smooth jazz. I have a few CD's now. I have Dave Brubeck Time Out Take 5, John Coltrane a Love Supreme, Chuck Magione Feels so Good, one of the Charlie Brown Vince GUaraldi albums and a best of Peggy Lee.What else should I have in my budding collection? What are some of the most important pieces in jazz history?

[color:"purple"]Yea, Billie Holiday is an absolute songbird. I love the sweet vocals accompanying jazz beats. Also a classic is Ella Fitzgerald. A newer counterpart, Madeleine Peyroux is one of personal favorites.

Also, in another vein, Herbie Hancock is a master. And of course Miles Davis. Have fun! [/color]

Music is like food it functions like a bowl of oatmeal on a cold winter day warms you up and starts you off on the right "foot-note"!

"jazz and blues" to me are the same just on different sides of the street....or sidewalk. Can't have one without the other, so if I were to start a collection of jazz, blues would have to be mixed in and go along for the ride. Here are some of my favorites:THELONIOUS MONK pianoREGINA CLARK jazz violinJOSHUA REDMAN saxophoneBETTY CARTER jazz singerCHARLIE PARKER "BIRD" saxophone

Blues:B.B.KING guitarARETHA FRANKLIN known for "soul" but sings the "blues"VARIOUS ARTISTS the blue note years "organ and soul" ENJOY....Jazzy Geri

Ella Fitzgerald does have the jams. SHe is like the coolest person to have in the library. I work at umgd and when I need those jazz cravings I totally would go to Ella for satisfaction. Hard core women she is.

You gotta check out "Smooth Ones" and "Late Night Rendezvous" by Rendezvous Entertainment. Its a compilation of some really famous smooth jazz albums... Its great over a summer barbeque or a glass of wine! I'm getting into jazz myself, and this is a pretty easy listen